Flying-machine.



FPSBL BR 92693.59

J. H. WILSON.

FLYING MACHINE.-

APPIKIIQATION FILED MAB. 11, 1908.

Patented June 29, 1909.

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244. AERONAUTICS J. H. WILSON.

FLYING; MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED 111111,11, 190B.

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FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIQATION FILED MAR. 11, 1908.

Pa-teted June 29, 1909.

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' 244. AERONAUTICS J. H. WILSON. FLYING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 11, 1908.

Patented June 29. 1909.

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FLYING-IVIACHINE To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN HOLMES WIL- SON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing in Middlesex township, in the county of Cumberland andState of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Flying-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flying-machines and more particularly thatkind known in the art as heavier than air apparatus.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved and practicalapparatus of this kind which will carry its own motive power, anoperator or aeronaut, and also some extra weight if desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus forthe purposes set forth, which can be readily taken apart and packed forshipment, and readily assembled and set up ready for operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which can becheaply constructed, and readily operated, so that any one who isskill-ed in the art to which it appertains can make and use the same.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of theinvention. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a front elevation. Fig. 4 isa rear end view. Fig. 5 is a detail in perspective showing how the rearaeroplanes 'may be folded when disconnected from the supporting-frame ofthe machine. Figs. 6 and 7 are front and rear end views respectivelyshowing a modied form of aeroplanes. Fig. 8 is a sectional detailshowing the manner in which the front aeroplanes are mounted on thesupportingframe of the machine.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the supporting-frame of themachine comprises a pair of spaced parallel longitudinal bars 1 whichare mounted at their front ends on a wheel 2 and at their rear ends on apair of wheels 3. From the bars rise upright posts 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8,respectively. These posts extend at their lower ends between the bars 1and are secured thereto in any suitable manner, and at their upper endsthey are connected by a longitudinal bar 9. The post 8, which is at therear end of the machine, is connected at its upper end by a diagonalbrace-bar 10 to the front end of the bars 1.

The frame-work herein described is strengthened and stiened by asuitable Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 11, 1908.

Patented June 29, 1909.

Serial No. 420,426.

system of trusses and braces as shown in the drawings.

At the front end of the machine are adjustable aeroplanes 11, and at itsrear end are stationary aeroplanes 12. These aeroplanes extend outwardlyfrom both sides of the supporting-frame and they are curved in thedirection of travel of the machine, and also diverge toward the rear endof the machine as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, as well as inclinedupwardly toward their outer ends as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. There aretwo aeroplanes at the front end of the machine projecting respectivelyfrom Opposite sides thereof, and at the rear end of the machine thereare four aeroplanes arranged in pairs projecting respectively fromopposite sides of the machine. The front aeroplanes are pivotallymounted on the supportingframe in such a manner that they may be swungindependently on an axis which is at right angles to the direction oftravel of the machine. They have at their inner ends trunnions 13 whichextend through bearing holes in longitudinal bars 14 connected at theirends to the posts 4 and 5 on opposite sides thereof. Transverse keys 15passing through the trunnions serve to prevent their withdrawal from thebearings. Each trunnion is mounted in this manner on one of thelongitudinal bars 14, and abuts against the opposite longitudinal bar 14which therefore serves as a thrust-bearing. To the inner end of eachaeroplane is connected a longitudinal bar 16 which is connected at itsrear end by a link 17 to a hand-lever 18 pivoted at 19 to the post 6close to the operators seat so as to be within convenient reach. Eachhandlever is provided with a latch 19a engageable with a segment-rack19b secured to the post 6 whereby the lever may be locked in adjustedposition.

The operators seat 2O is slidably mounted on the bars 1 so that he mayshift his position and keep the machine properly balanced. The seat hasa depending piece 21 which fits between the bars 1.

At the front end of the machine are two propellers 22 and 23respectively one of which is right-handed and the other left-handed sothat upon being driven in Opposite directions they tend to drive themachine more steadily.

On the bars 1 near the operators seat 2O is mounted a motor, preferablyof the internal-combustion type. On the main driving-shaft 25 of themotor is a sprocket-wheel 26 which is connected by a sprocket-chain 27with a sprocket-wheel 28 on the shaft 29 of the propeller 22. Said shaft29 is mounted in suitable bearings on the posts t and 5. On thedriving-shaft 25 is also a pulley 30 which is connected by a crossedbelt 31 with a pulley 32 on the shaft 33 of the propeller 23. The shaft83 is also mounted in suitable bearings on the posts t and 5. Throughthe gearing herein described the propellers are driven in oppositedirections to each other.

At the rear end of the machine is a rudder 34 which is hinged asindicated at 35 to the rear post 8. The rudder is connected by cables 36to a steering-bar 37 mounted on the post 6. The steering-bar is providedwith a latch 38 engageable with a segmentrack 39 for locking the bar inadjusted position.

In the construction of the aeroplanes and the rudder a skeleton-frame ofsome light, strong material is employed over which is stretched andsecurely fastened a light, strong and smooth covering such as silk,muslin, etc. The supporting-frame is made of light, strong material suchas spruce, white pine, bass wood, vanadium-steel or aluminum-alloytubing, and it is securelyk trussed or braced as shown.

In operating the machine the operator takes his place astride the seat20 and starts the motor 24. The machine is supported on the wheels 2 and3 and the propellers pull it over the ground, the operator walking onthe ground until the machine gets sufficiently under Way. When a certainspeed is attained, the operator tilts the front aeroplanes 11 so thatthey incline upwardly toward their front ends, whereupon the machinerises in the air. When a suflicient altitude has been reached, theaeroplanes are adjusted to a substantially horizontal position, theforce of the propellers then carrying the machine forwardly in asubstantially horizontal direction. IVhen it is desired to descend theaeroplanes are adjusted so that their forward ends incline downwardly.By operating the aeroplanes as stated the machine can be guided up anddown, and by means of the rudder it is guided sidewise. By making thefront aeroplanes independently adjustable as herein described themachine can be more readily balanced.

The machine is simple in construction and has no complicated parts, itcan be cheaply constructed, and easily operated, the controllingmechanism being all within reach of the operator. Its equilibrium iseasily maintained and the frame construction is such that it offers aminimum amount of rcsistance to the air, thus making high speed possiblewith a minimum expenditure of power-an important factor in aerialmachines. The angle of the machine with the horizontal can be readilyadjusted and the machine maintained in a horizontal position or at anyangle thereto by means of the front aeroplanes.

The rear stationary aeroplanes 12 are connected to the posts 7 and 8 insuch a manner that they can be readily removed therefrom, and each setof said aeroplanes is connected by bars 40 which are hinged to theaeroplanes so that they may be folded up when removed from thesupporting-frame of the machine. The front aeroplanes can also bereadily removed from the supporting-frame upon taking out the keys 15.The various brace-wires are also connected to the machine in such amanner that they may be removed, in view of which the entire machine canbe arranged in a very compact form for convenience in transportation,and it can be quickly set up ready for flight.

Figs. 6 and 7 show a modification of the aeroplanes, they being curvedoutwardly from the supporting-frame instead of being straight as in thefirst described construction. I also employ in this construction twosets of aeroplanes at the front end of the machine, the members of eachset being connected by rods 41. This arrangement is clearly shown inFig. 6. Fig. 7 shows the rear aeroplane. With the exceptions hereinnoted the machine is constructed and operates as before.

It is to be understood that various changes in the form, proportions,and minor details of the structure may be made without departing fromthe spirit of, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

The apparatus may be employed for carrying passengers, mail, parcels,and other material, as explosives to be dropped at any desired point inmilitary operations, and for any other purpose that it is desired to usea machine of this kind.

The invention is not limited to the described means for transmittingpower to the propellers, as any other suitable kind of motor may beemployed for that purpose.

I claim:

1. In a flying machine, a supporting frame having longitudinal barsformed with bearings, front aeroplanes having at their inner endstrunnions each of which is journa-led in one of the aforesaid bearingsand abuts against the opposite longitudinal bar, and operating meansconnected to the trunnions.

2. In a flying machine, the combination of a skeleton frame standingedgewise in vertical position, a pair of aeroplanes located respectivelyon opposite sides of the frame at the front thereof and having trunnionsat their inner ends held in bearings in the frame, and braces connectedto their outer ends, l. said aeroplanes being inclined upwardly andrearwardly from the frame, means to turn the aeroplanes on saidtrunnions, to vary their angle of presentation, upper and lower pairs offixed aeroplanes projecting respectively from opposite sides of the rearpart of the frame, and a vertical rudder at the rear of the frame.

3. In a flying machine, a supporting frame, and detachable aeroplanesarranged in pairs on opposite sides of the supporting frame, the membersof said pairs being conframe.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature,

in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN HOLMES WILSON.

Witnesses:

W. A. LEPPERD, W. H. PEFFER.

